| 1. |
- Bakker, F. T., et al.
(författare)
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The Global Museum: natural history collections and the future of evolutionary science and public education
- 2020
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Ingår i: PeerJ. - : PeerJ. - 2167-8359. ; 8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Natural history museums are unique spaces for interdisciplinary research and educational innovation. Through extensive exhibits and public programming and by hosting rich communities of amateurs, students, and researchers at all stages of their careers, they can provide a place-based window to focus on integration of science and discovery, as well as a locus for community engagement. At the same time, like a synthesis radio telescope, when joined together through emerging digital resources, the global community of museums (the 'Global Museum') is more than the sum of its parts, allowing insights and answers to diverse biological, environmental, and societal questions at the global scale, across eons of time, and spanning vast diversity across the Tree of Life. We argue that, whereas natural history collections and museums began with a focus on describing the diversity and peculiarities of species on Earth, they are now increasingly leveraged in new ways that significantly expand their impact and relevance. These new directions include the possibility to ask new, often interdisciplinary questions in basic and applied science, such as in biomimetic design, and by contributing to solutions to climate change, global health and food security challenges. As institutions, they have long been incubators for cutting-edge research in biology while simultaneously providing core infrastructure for research on present and future societal needs. Here we explore how the intersection between pressing issues in environmental and human health and rapid technological innovation have reinforced the relevance of museum collections. We do this by providing examples as food for thought for both the broader academic community and museum scientists on the evolving role of museums. We also identify challenges to the realization of the full potential of natural history collections and the Global Museum to science and society and discuss the critical need to grow these collections. We then focus on mapping and modelling of museum data (including place-based approaches and discovery), and explore the main projects, platforms and databases enabling this growth. Finally, we aim to improve relevant protocols for the long-term storage of specimens and tissues, ensuring proper connection with tomorrow's technologies and hence further increasing the relevance of natural history museums.
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| 2. |
- Abend, M., et al.
(författare)
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Inter-laboratory comparison of gene expression biodosimetry for protracted radiation exposures as part of the RENEB and EURADOS WG10 2019 exercise
- 2021
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 11:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Large-scale radiation emergency scenarios involving protracted low dose rate radiation exposure (e.g. a hidden radioactive source in a train) necessitate the development of high throughput methods for providing rapid individual dose estimates. During the RENEB (Running the European Network of Biodosimetry) 2019 exercise, four EDTA-blood samples were exposed to an Iridium-192 source (1.36 TBq, Tech-Ops 880 Sentinal) at varying distances and geometries. This resulted in protracted doses ranging between 0.2 and 2.4 Gy using dose rates of 1.5-40 mGy/min and exposure times of 1 or 2.5 h. Blood samples were exposed in thermo bottles that maintained temperatures between 39 and 27.7 degrees C. After exposure, EDTA-blood samples were transferred into PAXGene tubes to preserve RNA. RNA was isolated in one laboratory and aliquots of four blinded RNA were sent to another five teams for dose estimation based on gene expression changes. Using an X-ray machine, samples for two calibration curves (first: constant dose rate of 8.3 mGy/min and 0.5-8 h varying exposure times; second: varying dose rates of 0.5-8.3 mGy/min and 4 h exposure time) were generated for distribution. Assays were run in each laboratory according to locally established protocols using either a microarray platform (one team) or quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR, five teams). The qRT-PCR measurements were highly reproducible with coefficient of variation below 15% in >= 75% of measurements resulting in reported dose estimates ranging between 0 and 0.5 Gy in all samples and in all laboratories. Up to twofold reductions in RNA copy numbers per degree Celsius relative to 37 degrees C were observed. However, when irradiating independent samples equivalent to the blinded samples but increasing the combined exposure and incubation time to 4 h at 37 degrees C, expected gene expression changes corresponding to the absorbed doses were observed. Clearly, time and an optimal temperature of 37 degrees C must be allowed for the biological response to manifest as gene expression changes prior to running the gene expression assay. In conclusion, dose reconstructions based on gene expression measurements are highly reproducible across different techniques, protocols and laboratories. Even a radiation dose of 0.25 Gy protracted over 4 h (1 mGy/min) can be identified. These results demonstrate the importance of the incubation conditions and time span between radiation exposure and measurements of gene expression changes when using this method in a field exercise or real emergency situation.
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| 3. |
- Abrahamsson, Christian, et al.
(författare)
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Preamble
- 2016
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Ingår i: GO : On the Geographies of Gunnar Olsson - On the Geographies of Gunnar Olsson. - 9781409412373 - 9781317126768 ; , s. 3-6
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Bokkapitel (refereegranskat)
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| 4. |
- Abramsson, Mia, et al.
(författare)
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Research and development projects aiming to increase young adults’ knowledge of energy and energy efficiency
- 2015
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Ingår i: eceee Summer Study proceedings. - : European Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ECEEE). - 9789198048261 - 9789198048278 ; , s. 509-514
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Children and young adults are important target groups in order to decrease the climate change effects and increase an energy-efficient end use. With increased knowledge and awareness these target groups could play a constructive role in the current and future transition of the energy system. The correlation between knowledge, awareness and behavioral change is central for improved energy efficiency in the society. Children and young adults and their interest in the natural and technical science are central to ensure the long-term capability needed to transform the energy system.To support this development the Swedish Energy Agency started with young adults as a target group in research and development projects in 2008. Since then approximately 5 million EUR has been allocated for projects aiming to increase knowledge in these areas among young adults by developing practical methods and tools, educational material or in-service training for teachers. Around thirty projects have been supported and three of them, KNUT school development project, KNUT evaluation research project and The Energy Fall, will be discussed in this paper. The KNUT school development project is a national school project aiming at increasing students’ knowledge and interest in energy and energy efficiency. KNUT also stimulates learning and career choices related to energy, climate and resources and therefor strengthen Sweden's capacities and competitiveness future in these areas. To ensure the scientific base a research group from Linköping University (KNUT evaluation research project) has followed the project’s activities. Best practices of methods and tools have been tested and disseminated within the project at both regional and national level. The KNUT evaluation research project has identified and analyzed five success factors regarding energy, climate change and energy efficiency of importance for education: The relationships between the national, regional and local levelThe function of education vary in time due to the development of societyGet to know the education content inside and outside of schoolSuccessful meetings between different actorsThe educational systems capacity to educate all and at the same time recruit some for specializationThis paper will present an overview of the Swedish Energy Agency’s work on research and development projects aiming to increase young adults’ knowledge of energy and energy efficiency and the KNUT evaluation research project results, analysis and success factors.
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| 5. |
- Abu-Youssef, Morsy A. M., et al.
(författare)
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Global Engagement in Science: The University’s Fourth Mission?
- 2018
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Ingår i: Science & Diplomacy. ; 7:2
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In this article, the authors - three scientists and a diplomat, working across multiple continents - intend to impart some of the broad perspective and deep experience they’ve gained over the years as professionals. The diplomat among us, stationed in the Middle East, has played a role in fostering peace in a region long beset by conflict. Drawing from accumulated lessons, we intend to discuss how others can be encouraged to contribute to global science, regardless of their background or national origin. In taking on this challenge, we will share insights from our various tenures as operators of bilateral aid programs, members of international science organizations, and participants in government negotiations and other events featuring the development of global science.
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| 6. |
- Achtel, Christian, et al.
(författare)
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Surprising Insensitivity of Homogeneous Acetylation of Cellulose Dissolved in Triethyl(n-octyl)ammonium Chloride/Molecular Solvent on the Solvent Polarity
- 2018
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Ingår i: Macromolecular materials and engineering. - : Wiley-VCH Verlag. - 1438-7492 .- 1439-2054. ; 303:5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The homogeneous acetylation of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) by acetyl chloride and acetic anhydride in triethyl(n-octyl)ammonium chloride (N2228Cl)/molecular solvents (MSs) is investigated. The reaction with both acylating agents shows the expected increase of the degree of substitution (DS) on reaction temperature and time. Under comparable reaction conditions, however, DS is surprisingly little dependent on the MS employed, although the MSs differ in empirical polarity by 7 kcal mol−1 as calculated by use of solvatochromic probes. The empirical polarities of (MCC + N2228Cl + MS) differ only by 0.8 kcal mol−1. The formation a polar electrolyte sheath around cellulose chains presumably contributes to this “leveling-off†of the dependence DS on the polarity of the parent MS employed. N2228Cl recovery and recycling is feasible. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim
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| 7. |
- Adler, Jeremy
(författare)
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The unitary scale bar : human and machine readable
- 2008
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Ingår i: Journal of Microscopy. - : Wiley. - 0022-2720 .- 1365-2818. ; 230:1, s. 163-166
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A format is described for a scale bar that encodes the length represented within the structure of the bar itself, thereby removing the need for any supporting text. Although the 'unitary' scale bar has a conventional appearance it is also machine readable and therefore retains information about the scale even when the file format is changed. The format is based on the metre and is suitable for all terrestrial applications.
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| 8. |
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Advanced Bioelectronic Materials
- 2015
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Samlingsverk (redaktörskap) (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This book covers the recent advances in the development of bioelectronics systems and their potential application in future biomedical applications starting from system design to signal processing for physiological monitoring, to in situ biosensing.Advanced Bioelectronics Materialshas contributions from distinguished international scholars whose backgrounds mirror the multidisciplinary readership ranging from the biomedical sciences, biosensors and engineering communities with diverse backgrounds, interests and proficiency in academia and industry. The readers will benefit from the widespread coverage of the current literature, state-of-the-art overview of all facets of advanced bioelectronics materials ranging from real time monitoring, in situ diagnostics, in vivo imaging, image-guided therapeutics, biosensors, and translational biomedical devices and personalized monitoring.
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| 9. |
- Ahlborg, Helene, 1980, et al.
(författare)
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Ecology and sociotechnical systems research – motivations for theoretical and methodological integration across fields
- 2017
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Ingår i: International Sustainability Transitions conference 2017.
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Currently, we are witnessing a number of global trends that do not promise well for the future. Accelerating climate change, loss of biodiversity, chemical pollution, disappearance of natural forest and degradation of fishing grounds and agricultural lands are just a few of the serious environmental problems that threaten the functional and structural integrity of ecosystems, to an extent that also human societies risk collapse. The scale of human impact is now such that scholars suggest that we live in the Anthropocene. The trends are driven by several linked factors, which are not easily disentangled into manageable specific problems to be solved by specific policies. More than ever, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaborations are needed in order to address these urgent challenges. The objective of this paper is to argue for the importance of research on socio-technical-ecological systems (STES) rather than social-ecological (SES) and sociotechnical systems (STS) separately. Hence, we address researchers in both the social-ecological and sociotechnical fields. We organize the argument around six reasons why “technology” should be integrated into SES studies. We call these reasons: (1) the interface and mediation aspect, (2) ambivalence, (3) the agency aspect, (4) the question of scale, (5) the question of governance and politics, and (6) the question of epistemology and framing. We also highlight potential conceptual conflicts and mistranslations. Our discussion is primarily a theoretical argument, exemplified with empirical examples.Among the conceptual challenges, we note that SES scholars, if they consider technology in their analyses, generally treat it as an exogenous factor or as a passive background element. Similarly, STS scholars tend to neglect ecological dynamics and refer to the ecological domain mainly in terms of inputs and outputs, e.g. natural resources, environmental and health problems caused by human activities. In light of the discussion, we conclude that the importance of collaborating across the two fields goes beyond each field adding pieces together. We argue that integration and translation across these domains will lead to qualitative change in the theoretical and methodological approaches of both fields; and that technology, society and ecology should be given symmetric analytical attention.
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| 10. |
- Ahlborg, Helene, 1980, et al.
(författare)
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Mismatch Between Scales of Knowledge in Nepalese Forestry: Epistemology, Power, and Policy Implications
- 2012
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Ingår i: Ecology and Society. - 1708-3087. ; 17:4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The importance of scale dynamics and scale mismatches for outcomes of natural resource management has been widely discussed. In this article we develop theoretically the concept of ‘knowledge scales’ and illustrate it through empirical examples. We define scales of knowledge as the temporal and spatial extent and character of knowledge held by individuals and collectives, and argue that disparate scales of knowledge are an important ‘scale mismatch,’ which together with scale politics, lead to conflicts in Nepalese forest management. We reveal how there are multiple positions within local knowledge systems and how these positions emerge through people’s use of and relations to the forest, in a dynamic interaction between the natural environment and relations of power such as gender, literacy, and caste. Nepalese forestry is a realm in which power and scales of knowledge are being coproduced in community forestry, at the interface of material and symbolic practices in use of forest resources, and in contestations of social-political relations. Further, we reflect upon the importance of clear and precise use of scale concepts and present a methodological approach using triangulation for divergence, enabling researchers and practitioners involved in natural resource management to reveal scale mismatches and politics.
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